Bulletin for April 22, 2012. Click below to read more.

Download PDF
WORSHIP APRIL 22, 2012
3ND SUNDAY OF EASTER

THE GATHERING Chris Peters
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.

THE PRELUDE Walter Huff, organist

* THE CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord; praise the name of the Lord.
People: Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time on and forever
more. From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord
is to be praised.
Leader: The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.
Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the
heavens and the earth?
People: He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people. He gives
the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the Lord.
Leader: Let us worship God, our creator, redeemer and sustainer. Amen. – Psalm 113

* THE PROCESSIONAL HYMN 288 I Sing the Mighty Power of God

THE CALL TO CONFESSION

THE PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of the resurrection, you have called for witnesses. To the good news of the
Gospel, the proclamation that he is risen indeed, you call forth the response of faith.
To the promise of new life and the forgiveness of our sins, you ask for joyful truthtelling
from us all. Forgive us when our lips stay silent. Help us to repent where we
have remained mute. Call us once more to the joyful proclamation that he is risen in
all that we say and do. We pray it in the name of Jesus and for his sake. Amen.

A MOMENT OF SILENCE (for examination of conscience and personal prayers of confession) 

THE ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Leader: Death has been swallowed up in victory.
People: Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?
Leader: The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
People: But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus
Christ.
Leader: Believe the promise of the Gospel:
People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. - 1 Corinthians 15:54b-57

*THE CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE (Hymn 473)
For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child, friends on earth, and friends
above, for all gentle thoughts and mild, Lord of all to thee we raise this our hymn of
grateful praise.

* THE PEACE OF CHRIST
(Children ages 3-8 are invited to leave after the Baptism for special classes. Three through five-year-olds in
Room 011; K - 1st grade in Room 001; 2nd - 3rd grade in Room 003.

THE CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH
(Visitors and members are invited to sign the blue friendship register pad and pass it down the pew.)

THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
People: With joy and thanksgiving we welcome this child into Christ’s church.
We are the family of God for we are all one in Christ.

THE CHORAL RESPONSE Child of Blessing, Child of Promise Coates

THE FIRST LESSON Psalm 4 (page 464 in the pew Bible, OT) 

THE ANTHEM God Is Our Refuge Allen Pote
God is our refuge and strength, a present help in time of trouble. Though the mountains shake in the
heart of the sea, though the waters roar and foam, we will not fear. Come and behold the work of the
Lord, the awesome acts of God. He is in the midst of his people, in all the earth. He is the Word, we are
his hands, he will lead us. He is the air, we are his song, we will celebrate his presence all the day long.

THE SECOND LESSON Luke 24:36b-48 (page 85 in the pew Bible, NT)

THE SERMON “Witnesses” Baron Mullis

* THE HYMN 374 Lord, Make Us Servants of Your Peace (verses 1 through 4)

* THE AFFIRMATION OF FAITH from The Scots Confession
We undoubtedly believe, since it was impossible that the sorrows of death should
retain in bondage the Author of life, that our Lord Jesus crucified, dead, and buried,
who descended into hell, did rise again for our justification, and the destruction of
him who was the author of death, and brought life again to us who were subject to
death and its bondage. We know that his resurrection was confirmed by the testimony
of his enemies, and by the resurrection of the dead, whose sepulchers did open, and
they did rise and appear to many within the city of Jerusalem. It was also confirmed
by the testimony of his angels, and by the senses and judgment of his apostles and of
others, who had conversation, and did eat and drink with him after his resurrection.

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will
be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us
our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us
from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

THE OFFERTORY Praise and Thanksgiving (Morning Has Broken) Gaelic, arr. Wood

* THE DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION (Hymn 592)

* THE HYMN 369 I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me

* THE CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

* THE CHORAL RESPONSE Light Dawns on a Weary World William Rowan
Light dawns on a weary world when eyes begin to see all people’s dignity. Light dawns on a weary
world: the promised day of justice comes. Hope blooms in a weary world when creatures, once forlorn,
find wilderness reborn. Hope blooms in a weary world: the promised green of Eden comes. The trees
shall clap their hands; the dry lands, gush with springs; the hills and mountains shall break forth with
singing! We shall go out in joy, and be led forth in peace, as all the world in wonder echoes, Shalom.